These are the ones...

Kids these days.  These are the ones that will show up when you tell them about something called Operation Christmas Child.  It's basically an opportunity for them to put together a box full of small Christmas treasures that will be delivered to a child somewhere in the world who needs to know that they are loved.  It's probably one of the most meaningful gifts that they could ever give.

This past Sunday, we loaded up the bus and took our annual trip out to Target to fill up the Christmas boxes.  They brought their own money and shopped to fill their own box.

Ellee had a great time picking out toys for another little girl her age.  She shopped with Daddy and was the expert at all things that little girls love.

Christian and I had a blast shopping for a boy his age.  He debated on which items to include and took great pride in picking out the perfect gifts.  I absolutely love what this shopping trip teaches.  For many of the children that receive this box, it could be the only Christmas gift that they will receive.  Toys that my children might not always fully appreciate become another child's priceless treasures.  It brings such perspective to the upcoming Christmas season.  While it's easy to get wrapped up in the hustle and bustle, taking part in the Christmas box project each year reminds me about what's truly important in life.  Doing good to others and teaching my children to do the same becomes our focus and helps us to prioritize what will be important in our home during the Christmas season.  

It was a fun trip.

For the most part, the hooliganism was kept to a minimum and I was so incredibly excited to see our students' excitement as they shopped for their Christmas box.

If I haven't mentioned before, I absolutely love these kids.

I love their fun loving personalities and their good hearts.

I love that they took their time and money to make a difference in the life of another.

We purchased a good amount of little toys as well as many personal hygiene items and school supplies. These items are so needed for children all over the world and the Christmas boxes ensure that they will receive not only toys that they will enjoy, but also things that will be a huge blessing to them in their own personal lives.  Along with every box, each and every child gets to hear about how Jesus loves them which is pretty awesome too.  

We finished off the night putting together the boxes and filling them with all sorts of good things.  

And after all was said and done, we completed eighteen boxes that will be sent out from our church at the end of the week.  These boxes will begin a journey, all over the United States and the rest of the world as well.  A huge thank you to all of our teens and leaders who helped share in our Operation Christmas Child trip this year!  

If you are local, Eastport Bible Church is a drop off location for Operation Christmas Child.  Please check out the website!  The final day of drop off will be this Friday, November 16th.